Best MSW Programs Portland Offers: Campus & Online Options

Ready to boost your social work career with an MSW program in Portland? Now is the perfect time. Social work jobs will grow 7% by 2033, which beats the average job growth by 4%. Oregon looks even better with a projected 15% increase.

Oregon needs more qualified social workers right now. The state’s demographics tell the story – 19.6% of people are over 65 and 13.6% are under 18. On top of that, NAMI reports a major shortage of mental health professionals in Oregon. Your options for MSW programs in Oregon are limited but excellent. Portland State University stands as the only public CSWE-accredited MSW program in Oregon. Pacific University offers one of just three approved paths to become a licensed school social worker in the state.

Students love George Fox University’s practical approach. One student said it “taught me more than a textbook or assignment ever could”. Pacific’s program features 920 hours of fieldwork experience. This piece covers your best options to earn an MSW in Oregon. Let’s get into the seven top-rated programs that can kickstart your social work career in Portland.

Portland State University MSW Program

Portland State University is crucial social work education in Oregon. The university became the first MSW program in the Pacific Northwest to make an online option available, and PSU has grown into a leader in high-quality social work education that’s available to more people.

Program Overview

PSU’s MSW program gives you the skills to challenge oppressive systems while building racial equity and social justice. This 78-credit curriculum (46 for advanced standing) pairs complete coursework with extensive practicum education. U.S. News & World Report ranks the program among the best in the nation, earning it national recognition.

PSU stands out through its mission to prepare social workers who can recognize and dismantle systems of oppression. Students learn about social work throughout the lifespan while developing cultural competence to work with diverse populations in various geographic settings. Two levels make up the program—generalist and advanced—building specialized skills on essential foundations.

Specializations Offered

Students can choose between two advanced concentrations after finishing the generalist curriculum:

• Advanced Clinical Practice: Develop direct practice skills to work with individuals, families, and groups, including trauma-informed therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and telehealth practice
• Advanced Macro Practice: Learn leadership skills in policy-making and community response using critical race theory

PSU also offers specialized training options such as:

• School Social Work Licensure track for K-12 settings
• Graduate Certificate in Gerontology through the Institute on Aging
• Master of Public Health/MSW Dual Degree with tracks in Health Management and Policy or Health Promotion

Program Format & Flexibility

PSU offers multiple program formats that fit different needs and schedules:

Portland Campus Option:

• Two-Year program: Three classes each term plus 12-hour weekly practicum in year one and 16-hour weekly practicum in year two
• Three-Year program: Two classes each term in year one, followed by classes and practicums in years two and three
• Four-Year program: Coursework spreads across four years with practicums in years two and three

Distance Options:

• Eugene Option: Located at University of Oregon Baker Downtown Center with a three-year curriculum
• Central Oregon Option: Based at Central Oregon Community College in Bend with Friday classes

Online Option: Students in 49 states (excluding Colorado) can access the online program through the Canvas learning management system. Web-based courses break down into smaller learning modules that need about 10 hours of engagement per week per course. While most classwork happens on your schedule, you’ll join occasional online face-to-face meetings with students and faculty.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition rates vary based on program length and residency status:

• Advanced Standing (46 credits): $29,226 for residents, $40,542 for non-residents
• Two-Year Option (78 credits): $49,158 for residents, $68,346 for non-residents
• Three-Year Option (78 credits): $50,589 for residents, $69,777 for non-residents
• Four-Year Option (78 credits): $52,272 for residents, $71,460 for non-residents

Online courses add a $22 per credit technology fee. Students should also plan for books, supplies, housing, transportation, and personal expenses.

Fieldwork & Practicum

Field education stands as the “signature pedagogy” of social work education at PSU. Students must complete supervised training in professional settings, with 900 minimum hours of field practicum (500 hours for advanced standing).

Full-time students complete these hours across four semesters—225 hours per semester at about 15 hours weekly. Part-time students can finish their field education in either 1-credit or 2-credit increments, spending 5–10 hours weekly. Students work in social service agencies, hospitals, schools, or other appropriate facilities in their local region.

Students already working in social services might qualify for the Employed Social Worker Option, allowing them to complete one of their two internships at their current workplace.

Career Preparation

PSU’s career readiness program develops technical skills alongside communication, leadership, problem-solving, and professionalism. World Campus Career Services counselors help students map potential career paths and create personalized plans.

MSW graduates build careers in a variety of settings including mental health, substance abuse treatment, child welfare, policy development, community organizing, healthcare, criminal justice, and equity advocacy. PSU graduates enjoy better career flexibility and opportunities with a median salary of $57,241—higher than the national average of $51,347 for social work master’s graduates.

George Fox University MSW Program

George Fox University’s MSW program blends Christian values with professional social work practice. The program boasts a 90.5% first-time clinical licensure exam pass rate and prepares students for career opportunities throughout Oregon and beyond.

Program Overview

The Master of Social Work program at George Fox University maintains full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) through October 2028. Students become worldwide leaders and service professionals who blend social work values and skills within public and private human service organizations and faith communities.

The program stands out in Portland with its bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach to understanding communities and people. This all-encompassing approach helps you create complete strategies that address client needs on multiple levels. Four unique pillars define the program: a compassionate inclusive community, social justice advancement anchored in love, culturally informed care, and problem-solving focus.

Specializations Offered

The program employs an advanced generalist curriculum that delivers full training in both micro-level (individual/family) and macro-level (community/organizational) social work practice. Students learn that these two types of social work complement each other, preparing them to handle advanced responsibilities in both areas.

Students can pursue a specialized School Social Work Licensure Preparation option either within the MSW program or as a stand-alone certificate. This 8-month program needs 15 semester credit hours and readies you for licensure as a school social worker in Oregon without extending your degree completion timeline.

Format & Flexibility

Students can pick between two program tracks based on their educational background:

• Traditional MSW Program: Needs 62 credit hours and takes 2-4 years to complete
• Advanced Standing MSW Program: Available to BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs, requires 32 credit hours and takes 8-20 months to complete

Most courses run online with asynchronous options, giving working professionals flexibility. Some courses need live online participation during evening hours, plus attendance at the Portland Center for three Saturdays per semester. Faculty provide alternative online options if you can’t attend in person.

Classes stay small with only 12-18 students per course, ensuring personal attention throughout your educational experience.

Tuition & Financial Aid

The academic year MSW tuition costs $810 per semester credit hour. Full-time students (8+ credits) pay approximately $12,555 per semester. This shows a small increase from the 2024-2025 rate of $794 per semester credit hour.

Your total cost of attendance for 2025-2026 includes:

• Housing: $8,390 per semester
• Food: $3,448 per semester
• Books and supplies: $500 per semester
• Transportation: $980 per semester
• Personal expenses: $1,690 per semester

Full-time students pay a $70 Student Service Fee per semester, while part-time students (1-7.5 credits) pay $35. Some courses have additional fees: SWKG 576 ($40) and SWKG 676 ($65).

Students who file a FAFSA qualify for federal funds to help with educational expenses. Graduate students must take at least four credits per semester for federal loans to disburse. A $240,000 grant funds the BECOME project, providing mentoring for minority social work students.

Fieldwork & Practicum

Field education forms a core part of your MSW preparation at George Fox. Students use an online electronic practicum education system called Experiential Learning Cloud, which needs a one-time lifetime payment of $215. This system tracks practicum hours toward graduation and later toward licensure.

Advanced Standing students complete one eight-month supervised practicum with at least 560 hours (about 20 hours weekly). Traditional MSW students complete two eight-month supervised practicums: Generalist (about 16 hours weekly) and Advanced Generalist (20 hours weekly).

Students begin their practicum placement process right after admission and deposit. Practicums run through two 16-week semesters alongside academic coursework, maximizing direct integration of theory into practice. Weekly integrative seminars let students reflect on how coursework connects with agency experience.

Career Preparation

Graduates work in a variety of settings including hospitals, community clinics, schools, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit leadership positions. The program readies you for licensure paths in Oregon, including Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA), and Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW).

The advanced generalist approach gives you career flexibility. Graduates find roles in probation services, mental health, public service, and even political leadership—five senators in the 116th U.S. Congress held MSW degrees. The program’s faith viewpoint gives unique preparation for practice contexts where spiritual dimensions matter.

Students develop skills in ethical practice, human rights advocacy, anti-racism work, research-informed models, policy practice, and intervention strategies for individuals through communities.

Pacific University MSW Program

Pacific University’s Claire Argow Social Work Program is one of only three approved paths to school social work licensure in Oregon. This makes it a standout choice if you want to become a social worker in Portland.

Program Overview

The program offers an advanced generalist practice degree based on social work’s core values: human rights, social justice, and professional ethics. Students need 64 credits to graduate in this full-time, two-year curriculum. Students with advanced standing need at least 33 credits. The program gives you complete training in cultural competence, mental health diagnoses, and advanced therapeutic approaches.

Small class sizes at Pacific create chances to get individual attention and mentoring from professors, despite the challenging academic work. Students can explore social work practice in both rural and urban settings throughout Oregon thanks to the program’s location. You’ll learn to handle health disparities in emotional, community, mental, physical, and spiritual wellness through this balanced approach.

Specializations Offered

You can pick between two distinct concentrations in your second year:

• Health & Wellness: This path prepares you to meet the critical need for affordable, high-quality health services. You can take electives like Grief and Loss, Beyond the Cycle of Violence, and Addictions, Society & Social Work Practice.
• Latino Family and Culture: This concentration helps practitioners work with one of America’s largest and fastest-growing populations. You’ll immerse yourself in Latin American cultures through specialized courses.

The program focuses on cultural competence with groups from various backgrounds including African American, Asian, Latino, and Native American individuals and families. Pacific’s MSW leads straight to school social work licensure. You won’t need extra courses to get recommended for licensure with the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

Format & Flexibility

You can choose from several paths based on your educational background:

• Traditional MSW: Choose between full-time (two years) or part-time options if you need to keep working
• Advanced Standing: BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs can apply if they finished their degree within five years

Advanced standing students begin with a one-credit “tune-up” course before taking 32 credits of coursework. You can take this track in-person or online if you live in Oregon or Southwest Washington. You’ll build skills and community connections around Portland, plus get experience in rural and urban areas across the state.

Tuition & Financial Aid

The costs are:

• Two-Year Master’s Program: $29,824 for year one and $29,924 for year two
• One-Year Advanced Standing Track: $30,842 per year

Plan to spend about $2,300 yearly on books, equipment, and a laptop. Housing runs around $12,700, food costs about $3,000, and transportation expenses are near $1,300. The Financial Aid Office can help you find federal loans, work programs, and private loan options.

Some students get competitive single-year scholarships, with amounts that change each year. On top of that, outstanding applicants can earn graduate assistantships worth $1,000-2,000 yearly by helping faculty with research, teaching, or program development.

Fieldwork & Practicum

Field education is central to Pacific’s MSW program. Students work at approved social service organizations. This hands-on experience merges social work values, ethics, theory, and skills under qualified supervision.

Your field work includes:

• Foundation Year: 420 total hours (14 hours weekly)
• Concentration Year: 500 total hours (18 hours weekly)

You’ll complete 920 practicum hours at two different agencies. The foundation year introduces you to the profession, while the concentration year builds your specialized skills. Weekly seminar classes help you connect classroom learning with practice and think about your professional growth.

Career Preparation

The job market looks promising – the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects social work jobs to grow 9% through 2030. Nine out of 10 social workers say they love their careers and would tell others to get a social work degree.

The program gives you specialized skills to work with underserved populations at all service levels. You can explore many social work settings through Pacific’s generalist curriculum and Oregon fieldwork placements. You might also want to join annual trips to New Zealand and Uganda to learn about global social work practice.

Eastern Oregon University MSW Program

Eastern Oregon University offers Oregon’s only fully online MSW program, giving Portland residents a chance to study with flexibility. The program excels in trauma-informed practice and rural social work preparation to meet critical needs in the state’s underserved communities.

Program Overview

EOU’s online Master of Social Work program provides an advanced-generalist curriculum that emphasizes trauma-informed, ethical social work practice. The program helps students balance their education with full-time personal and professional commitments. EOU has submitted its Candidacy Eligibility Application and Benchmark I documents to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program should receive Candidacy status by June 2026, and graduates will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE-accredited program.

The program’s mission is to provide quality education that prepares students to serve others through professional practice focused on service and social justice. EOU weaves rural social work content throughout the curriculum to address unique needs of underserved communities.

Specializations Offered

Instead of traditional concentrations, EOU’s MSW program builds a complete advanced generalist foundation with specialized electives. The curriculum has:

Required Foundation Courses (30 Credits):

• Introduction to Social Work
• Social Work Practice with Individuals & Families
• Human Behavior & the Social Environment
• Ethics, Human Rights, and Social Justice
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Required Advanced Courses (26 Credits):

• Advanced Generalist Practice
• Assessment of Mental Disorders
• Trauma-Informed Practice
• Program Evaluation
• Leadership and Social Change

Students also choose specialized electives (4-6 credits) from options like Substance Use Disorder Intervention, End of Life Topics, Child and Family Welfare, Human Trafficking, Rural Social Work, and Social Work in Healthcare.

Format & Flexibility

You can access the program completely online and complete assignments when and where it suits your schedule. The program offers two main paths:

• Traditional MSW: 62 total credit hours including 900 field practicum hours
• Advanced Standing: Available to BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs; requires 30 credit hours and 500 field practicum hours

The program accepts transfer credits—up to 31 quarter credits for the traditional MSW and up to 15 credits for Advanced Standing. New cohorts start every Fall and Spring, with application deadlines of June for Fall and February 1 for Spring.

Tuition & Financial Aid

The tuition is $558.00 per credit hour, with a total program cost of about $34,627.00 (without transfer credits). Several financial support options are available:

Key Financial Aid Opportunities:

• Oregon state grants cover full tuition for 12 Oregon residents
• Scholarships up to $6,250.00 for 12 students through 2025-2027
• Military benefits for service members, veterans and their families
• Financial aid benefits 92% of online students

EOU is a Military Friendly® School and provides the Active Duty Scholarship to cover remaining tuition after other benefits.

Fieldwork & Practicum

Field education is the foundation of EOU’s MSW curriculum:

• Foundation Practicum: Students complete 200 hours per term across two terms (SOWK 521 and 522), totaling 400 hours
• Advanced Practicum: Students complete 250 hours per term across two terms (SOWK 621 and 622), totaling 500 hours

You might get paid for field placements and sometimes complete them at your current workplace. Weekly field seminars help you connect classroom knowledge with practical experience.

Career Preparation

Graduates gain skills in trauma-informed practice for various settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects social work employment to grow 7% through 2033, creating over 54,000 new jobs. The program equips you to:

• Show ethical and professional behavior
• Support human rights and social justice
• Apply anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts
• Use research-informed practice and engage in policy advocacy
• Support individuals, groups, and communities effectively

The program focuses on rural social work preparation to meet urgent needs in communities where social workers help reduce the stigma of receiving help, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services initiatives.

University of Portland MSW Pathways

Unlike other institutions in this list, University of Portland doesn’t offer its own MSW program. Instead, students can take an accredited pathway through the Dorothy Day Social Work Program that prepares them for accelerated graduate study at top MSW programs nationwide.

Pathways Overview

The Dorothy Day Social Work Program at University of Portland has managed to keep Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation since 2003. Students earn a Bachelor of Arts in social work that builds a strong foundation for graduate education. The program helps students develop generalist social work practice skills with individuals, families, organizations, and communities through a curriculum that addresses oppressive systems.

Specializations Offered

Though UP doesn’t offer direct MSW specializations, graduates can choose from various tracks at partner institutions. Many students go on to complete dual degree programs such as MSW/MBA (Social Work and Business), MSW/MPH (Social Work and Public Health), MSW/MPA (Social Work and Public Administration), MSW/JD (Social Work and Law), and MSW/MDiv (Social Work and Theology).

Program Format & Flexibility

The undergraduate program serves as a stepping stone toward MSW completion. Students qualify for advanced standing at most CSWE-accredited MSW programs after graduation. This typically cuts their graduate study time from two years to one. UP graduates have earned acceptance to prestigious MSW programs including Portland State University, University of Washington, NYU, Boston College, George Fox University, University of Michigan, Columbia University, and Pacific University.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition at UP costs $60,350. This investment often pays off since advanced standing saves students a full year of graduate tuition costs at MSW programs.

Fieldwork & Practicum

Students must complete a 400-hour practicum over two semesters, spending 15 hours weekly at a selected social work agency. Students have recently worked at Clackamas County Social Services, Catholic Charities programs, Gateway Center, LifeWorks Northwest, and Sexual Assault Resource Center.

Career Preparation

UP graduates enter MSW programs with their first-year requirements completed through advanced standing eligibility. This pathway consistently leads to acceptance at top-ranked MSW programs nationwide. Students build strong foundations for careers in clinical practice, community organizing, policy advocacy, and specialized fields like school social work.

Online MSW Programs Available in Portland

Portland residents can now earn their social work education without attending classes in person through digital learning options. Portland State University is currently the only school in Oregon that has a fully online MSW program.

Programs Overview

PSU’s online program has the same content as their campus program but delivers it through Canvas, their digital learning platform. Students can choose between two tracks in this CSWE-accredited program. The traditional three-year option needs 78 credits and 1,000 fieldwork hours. The advanced standing option runs for four terms with 46 credits and 500 practicum hours.

Specializations Offered

Students can pick from these specializations after finishing their foundation courses:

• Advanced Clinical Practice
• Practice and Leadership with Communities and Organizations

Students interested in working with aging populations can also earn a Certificate in Gerontology.

Format & Flexibility

The program uses 11-week learning modules. Students spend about 10 hours each week on every course. Most coursework can be completed at your own pace, but students must participate in some live sessions with faculty and classmates.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Students pay regular tuition plus a $22 per credit technology fee. The program has scholarships, federal aid, and flexible payment plans that help online learners manage costs.

Fieldwork & Practicum

Traditional students must complete between 900-1,200 hours of field education. Full-time students typically work 16-20 hours weekly at approved agencies. They also join seminars throughout their second year.

Career Preparation

Online students gain the same skills as campus students. This prepares them for careers in community leadership, advocacy, policy practice, or health settings.

Dual Degree MSW Programs in Portland

The foundation of advanced social work training at Portland State University lies in its interdisciplinary education. The Master of Public Health/Master Social Work Dual Degree program stands as Portland’s premier integrated graduate pathway.

Programs Overview

Portland State University partners with OHSU-School of Public Health to deliver this collaborative program. Students can complete the integrated curriculum in three years of full-time study—saving a full year compared to pursuing degrees separately. Each program requires a separate application, and students must meet their respective deadlines.

Specializations Offered

Students can choose between two distinct tracks:

• Health Management and Policy Track: This path emphasizes social justice and quality health services access
• Health Promotion Track: Students gain a broad view of factors behind adverse health outcomes

Program Format & Flexibility

Students need 120 total credits to graduate—69 in Social Work and 51 in Public Health. The program streamlines processes through 19 shared credits. Public Health courses count toward MSW requirements.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Students can access merit scholarships, federal loans, and work-study opportunities throughout their program, along with standard financial aid options.

Fieldwork & Practicum

Both programs require hands-on fieldwork. Students get practical experience in health settings and social service agencies.

MSW Career Preparation

Graduates become uniquely qualified professionals who blend clinical insight with population-level strategy. They excel in healthcare administration, policy analysis, and community health leadership roles.

Choose Your Portland MSW Program

Your career goals, learning priorities, and personal situation will guide you to the right MSW program. Portland has several great options. PSU’s 50-year old program offers multiple specializations. George Fox integrates faith into their approach. Pacific focuses on Latino Family studies. Students looking for a fully online program can choose Eastern Oregon University that specializes in rural social work to meet state-wide needs.

The selection process should go beyond just academics. You need to think over the program format, location, fieldwork opportunities, and costs. Rankings aren’t everything – find programs that line up with your interests and career dreams. Portland’s MSW programs prepare you for many career paths, whether you want to work with clients in clinical settings or advocate for policy changes in communities.

Oregon’s social work jobs will grow 15% by 2033, making your education a smart investment. Mental health services, healthcare settings, child welfare, and aging services are fields of all sizes that need qualified social workers across Oregon.

Having a BSW from an accredited program can cut down your time and costs through advanced standing options. The MPH/MSW program at Portland State is a chance to get specialized training through dual degrees.

Fieldwork is essential to MSW education. Every program requires extensive practical training that gives you ground experience before you graduate. This hands-on approach helps bridge the gap between being a student and becoming a professional social worker.

Portland’s MSW programs give you the versatile skills for work in settings of all types – from rural areas to city centers, from direct practice to systems leadership. Your MSW means more than just academic success. It shows your dedication to advancing social justice, challenging oppressive systems, and improving lives in Oregon and beyond.